Soweto taxi route dispute escalates

Tensions have once again escalated between two rival Soweto taxi associations, the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (Wata) and Nancefield-Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) in the aftermath of the recent Gauteng High Court ruling and the alleged kidnapping of a taxi driver.

On Monday as taxi operators blocked roads between Orlando West and Mofolo, members of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), travelling to the scene of the taxi dispute crashed into a group of pedestrians, resulting in the death of two pedestrians and an injury to others.

According to a JMPD statement, the officers crashed into a crowd while responding to a flare-up of a feud between two rival taxi associations with JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla revealing that a total of seven people were involved in the accident.

“During their response, a JMPD vehicle was involved in a collision with a Nissan Tiida. The collision resulted in the Metro Police vehicle colliding with three pedestrians who were standing on the roadside.

"Seven individuals were involved in the incident, including two JMPD officers, two occupants of the Nissan Tiida, and three pedestrians. Tragically, two pedestrians lost their lives. A male pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene, and a female pedestrian succumbed to her injuries upon arrival at the hospital," Fihla said.

Over the years, the ongoing feud between the two rival taxi associations has resulted in multiple deaths over routes between Orlando and Mofolo. The current dispute comes after the Johannesburg High Court ruled in favour of WATA Taxi Association on the contested routes.

The court ruled that WATA could operate on the same routes that NANDUWE occupies, in spite of the long-standing dispute that has been going on for years.

This ruling handed down by Judge Stuart Wilson sought to put a stop to the decision by the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory (GPRE) allowing the two associations to share the WATA routes.

On February 25, WATA approached the court to challenge GPRE's January 16 decision which gave the routes to NANDUWE.

In his ruling, Judge Wilson said these routes have caused a lot of bloodshed and fear among commuters.

"My order restrains NANDUWE from harassing and intimidating or interfering with WATA members' operations along the contested routes pending the outcome of the mediation between the two rival taxi associations, “Judge Wilson ruled.

Joseph Ngcobo, speaking on behalf of NANDUWE has indicated that his association is not happy with the recent judgment.

"It is not true that we have worked on the same routes as Witwatersrand Taxi Association. We must make this clear that we do not benefit from working alongside them. Therefore, we are not prepared to share these routes with them, “he said.

On the taxi route dispute and the closure of some routes, Fihla said JMPD was able to negotiate the reopening of the affected routes.

"Additionally, JMPD received reports of road blockages at the intersection of Klipspruit Valley Road and Kumalo Road in Orlando West, reportedly due to a route dispute. We can confirm that all affected routes have been reopened to traffic, and law enforcement officials are actively monitoring the areas," he said.

According to JMPD, the dispute has resulted in some taxis being vandalised and stripped on Moroka Nancefield Road and Elias Motsoaledi Road in Mofolo South.

As a result of the deaths, Fihla revealed that a case of culpable homicide will be opened at Moroka police station for further investigation.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za